Lenses are extremely important for better performance in vision clarity, look, and comfort. But there are lenses of different categories that serve special purposes. So, deep knowledge of lenses and understanding your actual need both are equally important facts. But authentic information and proper evaluations are never easy.
Therefore, we want to make your task easier. Through a comparative analysis of Warby Parker Polycarbonate vs High Index, we have described the features, similarities, and differences and answered important quarries.
Our efforts intend to help you make the right choice according to your prescription or preference.
Are polycarbonate and high-index lenses the same?
Polycarbonate lenses include a particular version of high-index otherwise they are not the same. There are some similarities and differences with other kinds of high-index lenses.
Beneficial Similarities:
Both lenses are made of quality plastic and they are equally strong in providing UV protection. They are well-designed and set on different frames. They are thinner, lighter, and stronger than other regular plastic lenses.
Functional and structural differences:
There are functional differences between these two kinds. High-Index lenses are based on stronger prescriptions. Besides, polycarbonate lenses may not be able to treat some of the eye problems which are possible in high-index.
They are structurally a bit different as high-index lenses are thinner than polycarbonate and vision corrections power is also high on high-index. But the comfort and durability level of polycarbonate is higher.
Warby Parker Polycarbonate Vs High Index: The Core Difference
Main material:
Warby Parker polycarbonate and most high-index lenses are made of high-quality plastics. The thickness of the polycarbonate lenses of this brand is 30% less than other plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses can be versatile including anti-reflective coatings and blue-light-filtering coatings.
The lenses of both kinds can also be progressive. On the contrary, high-index lenses of Warby are 20% to 30% thinner than polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are thin but surprisingly strong.
UV protection:
Warby Parker polycarbonate and high-index both types of lenses provide 100% protection against harmful rays like UVA and UVB. Strong coating help prevents different harmful lights.
Because being made of strong prescription-based materials and special features, Warby Parker high-index lenses are also equally capable of giving complete UV protection.
Anti-scratching:
These two different lenses are structurally anti-scratching. They even provide a warranty for this benefit. Especially, Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses are made of materials that can resist all sorts of scratches. Even no possibility of little sign of scratches is guaranteed by this brand.
Structure and vision corrections:
Polycarbonate and high-index lenses are made of perfect structure that matches the frames perfectly. They are very lightweight and attractive. Polycarbonate lenses also provide vision correction benefits. But this quality is stronger in high-index as they have advanced prescriptions.
High-index can even give vision corrections ranging between +/-4.00 and +/-8.00. The lenses of high-index have width and length differences according to the need for close and distance visions.
Refractive power:
Both types of lenses come with the benefits of light refractive power but this quality is more visible in high-index lenses. Warby Parker High-index lenses can solve the most common refractive troubles like presbyopia, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Prescription types:
Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses can be used on normal prescriptions or even on non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. But high-index lenses needed a prescription of a specific category that is stronger than the regular prescription.
Impact resistance and durability:
Those two kinds of lenses have huge popularity for being impact resistant and durable but polycarbonate lenses are comparatively stronger with better impact resistance. High-index lenses are too thin so there is a risk but the weight and thickness are combined perfectly in polycarbonate. So, Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses are preferred more for durability and strength level.
Sunglasses preference:
For sunglasses, Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses are always the first choice. Many of the prescription and non-prescription lenses are polarized with polycarbonate lenses.
Polycarbonate is favored for Warby Parker sunglasses but it is also possible to use high-index lenses for sunglasses. Such transmission requires a powerful prescription and the rest of the work will be carried on by the opticians.
Abbe Value:
It refers to the process of measuring a feature of lenses and how they intersperse light. The low-level dispersed light can obstruct proper eyesight. The Abbe value of the high index is slightly better than that of polycarbonate. In that case, Warby Parker high-index lenses are better at dispersing light on the glasses.
Costing:
Generally, polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than normal plastic lenses for better quality. But Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses are included in the standard cost of the frame and total package. So, there is no additional expenditure.
On the other hand, high-index lenses of this particular brand are costlier than polycarbonate lenses for the complexity of structure and the high prescriptions to be followed. Based on the ranges, Warby Parker high-index lenses can cost 50$ to 150$ extra for modifications.
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FAQs
Can you have High-Index lenses in Sunglasses?
High-Index lenses are based on strong prescription and they usually come as a special kind of lenses. But you can have high-index lenses in your sunglasses. The polarized high-index lenses and mirrored coated lenses can be used in your sunglasses. You just need to have a categorized prescription for this transmission.
On your demand and according to the prescription, the company will add high-index lenses to your sunglasses. Alongside styles, these types of sunglasses will have better refractive and vision advantages.
Are polycarbonate lenses bad for your eyes?
Polycarbonate lenses are never a bad choice for you. It has supreme quality materials, UVA, and UVB protection coating. Besides, these lenses can be modified into a single vision, progressive, blue-light-filter lens. Polycarbonate lenses also have a particularly high index. Therefore, these lenses are good for better vision, style, and eye protection.
When should you use high-index lenses?
High-index lenses are made on the concept of life refraction. Lenses with more index help bend the light more perfectly. These lenses are mainly used for treating acute eye problems and vision correction as per strong prescription. So if you have poor vision and a prescription of +/-4.00 to +/-8.00, you are supposed to use index lenses.
Conclusion: Should I get polycarbonate or high-index lenses?
“Warby Parker Polycarbonate vs High Index” is the article where we tried our best to resolve some questions, confusions, and contradictions which you are likely to have about these two types of lenses.
If you don’t have the limitation of high-prescription lenses and if you are not suffering from severe vision correction problems, Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses are the best choice for you. They will give you general eye protection and increase viewing quality.
At the same time, these lenses will last long. But polycarbonate lenses have limitations when someone requires lenses on a strong prescription. In that case, a high-index lens is the best choice.
Apart from the prescription-related issues and infected eyesight, we recommend you to buy Warby Parker polycarbonate lenses because they come with no added cost, superstructure, regular protective virtues, and versatility.
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